Flemming, Rochford hit full throttle in title effort

TOOWOOMBA duo Bryan Flemming and Ben Rochford would be happy to finish tomorrow's Kings of the Mountain dirt track event one place higher than their 2003 effort.

At their first outing together the Toowoomba Honda teammates led the annual Open Kings class at one point before finishing second to visiting Australian dirt track champions Michael Kirkness and Chris Seton.

"We messed up one change and lost the crown," Flemming said. That experience should ensure the duo leaves little to chance this weekend.

Flemming has gone to the mountain seven times and Rochford has four previous starts in the Open Kings race.

They will race the same bike they lined up last year and said tyre selection would be critical to their chances.

"Saturday's qualifying can play a part in determining your chances," Flemming said.

"It is preferable to qualify near the top to give the team the best possible start in the run to the bike in the Le Mans-style start.

"We are racing a motocross bike which has been adapted to suit dirt track racing.

"Apart from going over the motocross track we haven't been on the dirt track course during the year so there has been no other time to prepare for the race."

Other than starting at the front of the pack, Flemming said finding the winning edge was often a case of getting the balance between maintaining the maximum amount of grip and keeping the throttle open for as long as possible. Flemming said he found it hard to retire from racing and had kept his skills sharp with races in a round of the Super Motard series at Greer Park.

"I was the only 250cc bike to finish in the top 10 in the final after just managing to qualify.

"I also finished second in both the Australian Veterans' title and the Evolution Australian championships this year behind Glen Bell."

Rochford said he loved the challenge of the race.

A past co-rider with fellow competitor Troy Carroll, Rochford said he was keen to beat the top visiting professionals.

Rochford will get plenty of racing time as he has also entered the 125cc Senior Lite division with Anthony Lambert.

While wary of the visiting specialists, Flemming and Rochford said they were keen to settle a small wager with Troy Carroll.

Flemming, who used to race against Troy's Uncle, Brian, said he and Rochford hoped to settle a friendly wager with the Australian motocross champion by winning the overall title.

Apart from cracking an elusive win at their home track, the duo said they were keen to repay the faith and support of Steve Andrews and his Toowoomba Honda staff.

"Steve is passionate about his racing and has done a lot to get us to the starting line, so there is plenty of incentive to win," Flemming said.